ACP: The Value of a Mentor

American Corporate Partners

Finding a job on your own is difficult enough. When you're coming straight from a deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan, it can be even tougher.

At American Corporate Partners (ACP), we help veterans bridge the gap when transitioning from the military to civilian career. In order to do this, we connect veterans with Mentors from top companies like BlackRock, G.E., HCA, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, MetLife, and many more to work on topics ranging from résumés and interviewing to industry specific, professional development.

Over the course of a year-long mentorship, ACP's Mentors provide customized career development and networking assistance to those seeking to work in fields including but not limited to finance, health care, sales, program and project management, engineering, operations, manufacturing and defense. Our Mentors are located all across the country, and mentoring opportunities are available nationwide.

Matthew K., an ACP Alum and US Army veteran speaks about his experience with an ACP Mentor.

"Very few people have touched my life in the way that Joe has. My transition to civilian life has been challenging. I experienced trouble in my civilian job early on, and unfortunately, things did not work out. American Corporate Partners partnered me with Joe right around the time my work situation deteriorated. Joe has been in my foxhole with me since Day One. He has been completely selfless with his time, offering advice to help me interview better and effectively navigate this difficult job market. Additionally, after getting a sense of my personal interests, Joe has introduced me to many of his contacts, and he ensured my resume was considered by literally dozens of employers. No matter how busy he is, I can call on him anytime, and he's always there for me. Many people say that they're there to help veterans. Joe really means it."

Jerry D., a current ACP Protégé and US Coast Guard veteran shares his perspective on working with his ACP Mentor.

"Lowell and I have been working together since October of last year, and his support and guidance has been a phenomenal resource throughout that period, especially so during this past month as I have made my actual transition out of the Service and into the civilian workforce. I didn't realize how valuable having a mentor was until I started to put into practice all the skills that Lowell and the network of supporters he connected me with helped me develop over the past year.

Having Lowell as a trusted confidant to be able to safely share and discuss my thoughts, concerns, fears, hopes, and goals for my transition was incredibly empowering. It gave me the confidence to be able to trust that I knew myself, my transferable skills, and what kind of a work environment I needed in order to have a good "fit". That confidence allowed me to quickly learn what kinds of positions to apply for, which ones to pass by, and the kinds of firms where I should concentrate my networking efforts. Perhaps best of all, when the first job offer came earlier this month, my work with Lowell gave me the strength to turn it down when I assessed that it wasn't going to be a good fit. I was surprised at how freeing that single act was, and how much more confidence it gave me about the future. Better still, the hiring manager I turned down was impressed enough with my confidence and awareness about the importance of organizational fit that he recommended me to a friend in another firm, which led to short-term contract work. That contract introduced me to a third firm that has since offered me a position that should be an extremely good fit. While the future is still somewhat uncertain, I know from my work with Lowell that it will indeed be bright, however things work out. I'm extremely grateful for having been associated with ACP and the outstanding support of my mentor, Lowell. Transitioning is hard, but Lowell and ACP made it a lot easier than it otherwise would have been."

To learn more about American Corporate Partners and how you can get involved, visit the website at acp-usa.org.

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Contributor

American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping military veterans successfully transition into a civilian career. Through a one-on-one, yearlong mentorship, ACP's veterans work with corporate professionals in a career field of their interest to strengthen resume and interview skills, learn how to successfully network and explore job opportunities that fit their skills and interests.

ACP has offered to focus a portion of their effort on Military.com members to help them successfully transition into a meaningful civilian career. This program has a limited number of openings available and only those who have served on active duty since 9/11 are eligible to participate. To apply for one of these openings, please visit www.acp-usa.org.